Top 10 Must-Try Restaurants in Stellenbosch in 2023

If you enjoy fine cuisine, you must be aware that Stellenbosch is a gourmet heaven. Situated in the Western Cape, it has beautiful wine farms, mountains, and a thriving food scene. Some of the top dining restaurants that give amazing dining experiences can be found in Stellenbosch, and with this blog, we look at the top 10 restaurants in Stellenbosch that you just must try in 2023. These eateries are not only well-liked, they also have a reputation for offering top-notch dining experiences.

We’ve selected these restaurants based on several criteria, including the quality of food, service, ambiance, and overall dining experience. So, get ready to savor the flavor and discover the best culinary experiences Stellenbosch has to offer.

Criteria for selecting the top 10 must-try restaurants

It wasn’t simple to select the best 10 Stellenbosch eateries to try. The standard of the cuisine, the atmosphere of the restaurant, the level of service, and the entire eating experience were just a few of the things we looked at.

Also, we wanted to include a variety of restaurants, from those that specialize in traditional South African food to those that serve cutting-edge, modern food. The restaurants listed below are great and dining experiences are exceptional.

Restaurant #1: Overture

Overture, a fine-dining restaurant in Stellenbosch with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and vineyards, is situated on the Hidden Valley Estate. The restaurant is renowned for its imaginative and unique food, which draws its inspiration from regional ingredients and South African spices.

Although the menu is always changing, you can count on seeing dishes like Karoo lamb with smoked aubergine, Parmesan, and salsa verde or seared fish with avocado, soy, and wasabi.

The wine selection is comprehensive and offers a variety of domestic and foreign wines. The atmosphere is classy and stylish, and the service is flawless.

Update: This restaurant permanently closed in September 2022

Restaurant #2: Jordan Restaurant

On the Jordan Wine Estate near Stellenbosch, the Jordan Restaurant is renowned for its superb food and wine pairings. The restaurant provides a tasting menu with items like slow-cooked beef short rib with beetroot, horseradish, and truffle or pan-seared prawns with sweetcorn, chorizo, and saffron aioli.

Each meal is skillfully matched with a regional wine, and the helpful staff are friendly and eager to provide suggestions.

The restaurant is cozy and pleasant, and it offers wonderful views of the mountains and vineyards.

Restaurant #3: De Warenmarkt

In the center of Stellenbosch, there is a food market and a restaurant called De Warenmarkt. Fresh fish, handcrafted bread, and homemade cheese are just a few of the local goods available at the market.

The restaurant serves food like grilled octopus with chorizo and salsa verde or roasted pig belly with apple purée and crackling on a limited but well crafted menu that changes frequently.

With shared tables and a buzzing mood, the restaurant provides a casual and laid-back ambiance.

Restaurant #4: Terroir

On the Kleine Zalze Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, Terroir is a restaurant renowned for its farm-to-table fare. Each meal at the restaurant is fresh and in-season since the business buys its supplies from regional farmers and producers.

The menu varies often, but you can anticipate items like slow-cooked pork belly with apple puree, cabbage, and pickled mustard seeds or seared yellowtail with smoked tomato, fennel, and saffron. A variety of regional wines are offered on the wine list, and the service is kind and attentive.

Restaurant #5: The Fat Butcher

In the center of Stellenbosch, there is a restaurant called The Fat Butcher. The eatery is renowned for its top-notch meat, which is obtained from nearby farms and killed there.

The menu offers a variety of meat dishes such lamb chops and pig belly as well as steaks like ribeye, sirloin, and fillet. The restaurant provides a laid-back, informal ambiance with rustic design and kind service.

Restaurant #6: Indochine

On the Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch, Indochine serves a distinctive combination of South African and Asian food. The eatery is renowned for its creative meals that incorporate regional ingredients with classic Asian spices.

The menu offers items like slow-cooked beef short rib with coconut, lemongrass, and lime or yellowtail sashimi with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce. A variety of domestic and foreign wines are offered on the wine list, and the service is first-rate.

Restaurant #7: Rust en Vrede

Rust en Vrede is a renowned fine-dining restaurant in Stellenbosch that is situated on the Rust en Vrede Wine Estate. The restaurant provides a tasting menu with items like roasted fowl with mushroom risotto and red wine jus and scallops seared with cauliflower puree and truffle oil.

A variety of regional wines are offered on the wine list, and the service is excellent. With breathtaking views of the mountains and vineyards, the restaurant exudes sophistication and elegance.

Restaurant #8: The Table at De Meye

A farm-to-table restaurant called The Table at De Meye is situated on a working farm in Stellenbosch. The restaurant provides a set menu that varies every day and includes items like slow-cooked lamb shoulder with roasted veggies and salsa verde or roasted beets with goat cheese and hazelnuts.

With shared tables and a rustic aesthetic, the restaurant has a casual and laid-back vibe. The atmosphere of the restaurant is pleasant and cozy, and the service is warm and courteous.

Restaurant #9: The Restaurant at Waterkloof

On the Waterkloof Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, The Restaurant at Waterkloof is renowned for its cutting-edge food and breathtaking vistas.

The eatery provides a tasting menu with dishes including roasted lamb with eggplant, yogurt, and cumin as well as seared fish with ponzu, avocado, and wasabi.

A variety of domestic and foreign wines are offered on the wine list, and the service is first-rate.

The restaurant offers breath-taking views of the vineyards and ocean in a chic and contemporary setting.

Restaurant #10: Tokara

Tokara is a fine-dining restaurant with expansive views of the mountains and vineyards around that is situated on the Tokara Wine Estate in Stellenbosch.

The eatery is well-known for its modern South African fare, which highlights the finest regional ingredients. Although the menu is always changing, you can count on seeing meals like roasted quail with mushroom risotto and red wine jus or seared scallops with cauliflower puree and truffle oil.

A variety of domestic and foreign wines are offered on the wine list, and the service is first-rate.

Why these restaurants are a must-try

Each of the restaurants on this list offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience. Whether you’re looking for contemporary cuisine or traditional South African dishes, there’s something for everyone in Stellenbosch. These restaurants have all met our high standards and are guaranteed to provide a memorable dining experience. From the exceptional food and wine pairings at Jordan Restaurant to the farm-to-table cuisine at Terroir, each of these restaurants offers something special.

Other notable restaurants in Stellenbosch

While these 10 restaurants are the cream of the crop in Stellenbosch, there are many other notable restaurants worth checking out. La Petite Colombe, for example, is a fine-dining restaurant located on the Leeu Estates in Franschhoek that offers an exceptional tasting menu. The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek is another fine-dining restaurant that offers an unforgettable culinary experience. The restaurants at Babylonstoren and Delheim Wine Estate are also worth checking out for their farm-to-table cuisine and stunning vineyard views.

Conclusion: Savoring the flavor of Stellenbosch’s culinary scene

Stellenbosch is a foodie’s paradise, and these 10 must-try restaurants are just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you’re looking for innovative cuisine or traditional South African dishes, there’s something for everyone in this charming town. From the stunning views at Rust en Vrede to the farm-to-table cuisine at Terroir, each of these restaurants offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience. So, if you’re planning a trip to Stellenbosch, be sure to savor the flavor and discover the best culinary experiences this town has to offer.